Eddie's Restaurant in Sylvan Beach earns Oneida County tourism award

SYLVAN BEACH -- For more than 70 years, Eddie's Restaurant in Sylvan Beach has been serving comfort food to beachgoers.

In honor of its dedication to customers and the area, the Stewart family received the Christopher P. Destito Tourism Leadership Award for Oneida County.

Eddie Stewart Sr. and his wife Florence opened a hot dog stand in 1934 in Sylvan Beach because of their love of the waterfront. Leslie Stewart, Eddie Junior's wife, said they expected the growth that has come from their company.

Eddie's has expanded greatly from its original foundations. Its famous hot ham sandwiches and various other items have brought in celebrity clientele including Liza Minnelli, Nat "King" Cole, George Foreman and, most recently, Adrian Brody, to name a few.

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The business has expanded past Eddie's as well, running local bar Harpoon Eddie's and Sunset Cottages.

Eddie Jr. and Leslie Stewart took over the business in 1980; their son Rick Stewart, Sylvan Beach mayor, is currently running the business that he grew up with.

"We know what we have here at Sylvan Beach with Oneida Lake," Leslie Stewart said. "The natural beauty is amazing and our local businesses know hospitality."

Named for the late Christopher P. Destito, the award was established in 2010 to honor an individual or business that has shown exceptional service and time investment to make the community more tourist-friendly.

The award was presented to the Stewart family for not only their dedication to tourism in the county, but their dedication to the community.

A few local businesses were started by past Eddie's employees, including Barb Gwilt's Spaghetti Factory and Jean Tazarrani of Canalview Cafe.

"We're such a small community that we all work together," Leslie Stewart said. "Our 'local competitors' are more like friends. Our biggest competition is actually other beach communities."

Humbled by the award, the Stewarts give much of the credit back to the community they were recognized for supporting.

"I think what we have here that's really important is nostalgia," Leslie Stewart said. "The beach in general has maintained and improved that nostalgia throughout the years. Our visitors are a big factor too. Grandparents bring their grand children back to the beach so new generations can share those memories."

Leslie Stewart said they have had families that have been coming back, generation after generation to rent cottages and eat at Eddie's.

The Stewarts are optimistic about the future of Eddie's under Rick Stewart's care. Eddie's will close for the season on Nov. 4 and reopen in the spring.